samedi 25 juillet 2015

So these are my last
days in New Zealand. I haven't see any kiwis or any penguins... but a lot
of snowflakes ! I've spent three weeks on the Snowfarm, on the heights of
Wanaka, to ski and share time with the US Ski Team.

Now I'm begining to
speak english very well. It's for this reason I want to share with you my
experience in english.

For a long time I have
wanted to train with the US Ski Team. I have known Liz Stephen since my first
international races. The women's team is very strong and competitive on the
world cup in all disciplines. I wanted to know a new training experience, a new
team emulation, and to speak better english, all this in the goal to be
stronger for the next season (Finally, I'm not sure that english helps me
to be better on the ski tracks this winter, but I'll try it) !

All of these things
have happened. The ski conditions were perfect with a lot of sunny days, cold
snow for the first week, warmer at the middle, and new snow at the end. So I
have skied in a lot of different conditions. It's fun to find a part of winter
so far away, especially during this month of July, which has been so hot in
France.

It was too the
occasion to start intensity work. Usually I ski on the glacier at this period,
too high to work the race speed.

I discovered, too, a
great team, ready to share their experience. A very good work ambiance and
always with a smile and positive attitude. A team who works together
(« hand in hand », but maybe it's a french expression!), athletes and
coaches, men and women, to give their best ! I've found four girls (Liz,
Jessie, Sophie and Ida) to train with me, and to help me to get over myself
during the time trial. And I've found three coaches who help me before the
camp, to plan my trip to the other side of the world. And during, to give me
precious advice for my ski techique, to take care of me and my skis... They
just have done like I was a member of their team. I have especially found many
friends !!

For my english, maybe
it's not perfect, but I begin to understand better, to speak is still difficult, but I'm sure to be on the good way ! It's maybe a new occasion
to return with them....

But I could count on
them, to speak slow for me to understand, and sure to learn me american
expressions, not found on the books ! I dare not say....

I've found a beautiful
country, with amazing landscapes, and for sure I will return here just to
visit.

Thank you US ski team
to open your arms so widely to me. Thank you Alex for making this
adventure possible and follow me with the jet lag. Thank you to those who helped
me finance this camp. Thank you Snowfarm for the welcome.

I spend two last days
just with Noah Hoffman, and Burni, in the Snowfarm, just to enjoy the last
slips with my skis, and the sunrise and sunset on the winter.

Enjoy August !

Cheers,

Anouk

Ps : And final
thanks to Liz for the correction of my article, and to be the best roomie !